Book Review: Blog Rules

Book review: Blog Rules by Nancy Flynn. NY: Amacom, 2006

Short version: Buy this book.

Long version: While primarily aimed at business blogs and for employees of the corporate world that blog either on or off the clock, much of what Flynn has to say is applicable to all kinds of blogging, including political blogging, though it isn’t really discussed specifically. The chapters on CEO bloggers would work just as well for candidates (should they blog? Pros/cons). There are sample blogging policies for businesses that could just as easily work for campaigns. What a campaign operative (even a volunteer) says on a personal blog can reflect well or poorly on the campaign. There are also tips on contacting bloggers for those wishing to promote products or candidates on blogs. Flynn touches on legal issues, though this is always a moving target. She does suggest caution. She also frowns on anonymous blogging and points out the courts have been inconsistent so far in whether or not anonymous bloggers needed to be outed if sued. All in all very useful, written to be read easily, with a lot of numbered lists, summary rules, and so on.

Summation: Buy this book.

(Full disclosure: I found this book at the library and so while I suggest you buy a copy I have not done so but plan to in the near future.)

PA in the WSJ

This is a list of articles regarding Pennsylvania in this past week's Wall Street Journal. Chances are I missed something, but these are the articles that caught my eye.

It should be noted that I routinely do not read the editorials in the WSJ. So any discussions of the state, its elected officials, businesses, or citizens, in editorials will not be mentioned here.


PA Politicians

In “Senate Democrats take a pause,” by David Rogers (7/19) we find this paragraph:

Rep. John Murtha, the bill’s manager, has used every lever available to try to put pressure on the White House regarding Iraq. But the
Pennsylvania Democrat said he is torn now because another veto fight over Iraq could jeopardize added funding in his bill to improve oversight, for example, of the record number of outside contractors now employed by the Pentagon, including in the Iraq theater.

PA Businesses

Apparently we still need customer service workers here in the US, not all the jobs can be outsourced. Banks are having trouble finding and hiring tellers. PNC Financial Services Group of Pittsburgh is among those mentioned. Some technical and community colleges are starting training programs for tellers. See “Expanding banks bemoan lack of qualified tellers,” by Sudeep Reddy (7/17)

Lice Fighters will comb lice out of your or your family’s head if you live in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania for $200 a head. “A head scratcher: How to get rid of a pesky parasite,” by Joseph DeAvila (7/17)

“Jones apparel names officer,” (7/17)

Brief mentions:

Hershey (7/17)

Harleysville National Corp. (Harleysville) (7/18)

Interdigital Inc. (King of Prussia) (7/18)

Valley National Gases LLC (Washington, PA) (7/18)

Other PA

Susan Gingerich a private practice social worker in Philadelphia is quoted in “Letting your family in on your therapy,” by Elizabeth Bernstein (7/17)

The Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia is mentioned in “Art for less,” by Lauren A. E. Schuker (7/21)

Other Interesting Tidbits

Note this sentence from “Carry-on items taken at airports find happy homes,” by Paulo Prada (7/17):

Pennsylvania, which collects goods at 13 airports including New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, says it collects a total of 2.5 tons of TSA goods a month and that the items, sold on eBay, since 2004 have raised $360,000 for state coffers as of June.

There is a great article on Elizabeth Edwards, “The Nights and days of Elizabeth Edwards,” by Monica Langley on 7/21.

weekly legislative update

This is a list of bills that passed the Pennsylvania House or Senate this week, and mention of any noteworthy resolutions. Standard caveats apply (resolutions not generally included, list of sponsors deleted if it was too long - three lines in the originally formatting).

Our accountant friends at PICPA have provided their usual informative weekly update.

Other updates this week:

PA GOP Senate
PA Democratic Senate
PA GOP House (daily session updates)
PA Democratic House


Resolutions
Nothing caught my eye this week.
Bills

House
HB 874 Prior Printer's No. 1029.Printer's No. 2261. An Act providing for umbilical cord blood banking; requiring health care facilities and providers to give pregnant patients information regarding umbilical cord blood banking; and requiring health care facilities to permit pregnant patients to arrange for umbilical cord blood donations.


HB 1422 Prior Printer's Nos. 1752, 1885, 2293.Printer's No. 2348. An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, codifying the Public Eating and Drinking Place Law and the Food Act; providing for the protection of public health and for regulations; requiring licensing; further providing for food employee certification and for farmers' market; providing for penalties; and making related repeals.
SB 798 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Prior Printer's Nos. 890, 923, 1153, 1244, 1311.Printer's No. 923. An Act providing for the capital budget for the fiscal year 2007-2008.

SB 246 By Senators GREENLEAF, ERICKSON, O'PAKE, CORMAN, WASHINGTON, C. WILLIAMS, LOGAN, ORIE, STACK, FERLO and DINNIMAN. Prior Printer's Nos. 25, 1227, 1286.Printer's No. 1326. An Act establishing the Smoke Free Pennsylvania Act; prohibiting smoking in enclosed and substantially enclosed areas; imposing duties upon the Department of Health; imposing penalties; and making a related repeal.

SB 413 By Senators BROWNE, WONDERLING, WASHINGTON and BOSCOLA. Prior Printer's No. 460.Printer's No. 1276. An Act amending the act of July 28, 1953 (P.L.723, No.230), known as the Second Class County Code, further providing for assessment of signs and sign structures; and making related repeals.

SB 455 By Senators VANCE, EARLL, BOSCOLA, FONTANA, MADIGAN, O'PAKE, ORIE, PUNT, RAFFERTY, STACK, M. WHITE, WONDERLING, CORMAN, BROWNE, KITCHEN and McILHINNEY. Prior Printer's Nos. 502, 1097, 1186, 1225.Printer's No. 1243. An Act amending the act of May 1, 1933 (P.L.216, No.76), known as The Dental Law, further providing for the definitions of "dental hygienist" and "board"; providing for the definition of "public health dental hygiene practitioner"; further providing for the general powers of the State Board of Dentistry and for radiologic procedures, education and training; and providing for the practice of public health dental hygiene practitioners.

SB 466 By Senators ROBBINS, SCARNATI, O'PAKE, MADIGAN, WOZNIAK, CORMAN, LAVALLE, RHOADES, MUSTO, PUNT, WONDERLING, BOSCOLA, REGOLA, McILHINNEY, BAKER, BRUBAKER and FOLMER. Prior Printer's Nos. 511, 1093, 1226, 1280, 1297.Printer's No. 1329. An Act amending the act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45), known as the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, further providing for application, for changes in the Uniform Construction Code and for exemptions.

SB 548 By Senators CORMAN, ERICKSON, D. WHITE, VANCE, M. WHITE, WONDERLING, FOLMER, WAUGH, GORDNER and C. WILLIAMS. Prior Printer's No. 292.Printer's No. 1299. An Act amending the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), entitled "An act relating to insurance; amending, revising, and consolidating the law providing for the incorporation of insurance companies, and the regulation, supervision, and protection of home and foreign insurance companies, Lloyds associations, reciprocal and inter-insurance exchanges, and fire insurance rating bureaus, and the regulation and supervision of insurance carried by such companies, associations, and exchanges, including insurance carried by the State Workmen's Insurance Fund; providing penalties; and repealing existing laws," providing for scope of article, for the definition of "long-term care insurance," for the Long-Term Care Partnership Program, for authority to promulgate regulations, for marketing and advertising prohibited and for penalties; and further providing for coverage and limitations.

SB 929 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Prior Printer's No. 1112.Printer's No. 1312. A Supplement to the act of April 1, 1863 (P.L.213, No.227), entitled "An act to accept the grant of Public Lands, by the United States, to the several states, for the endowment of Agricultural Colleges," making appropriations for carrying the same into effect; and providing for a basis for payments of such appropriations, for a method of accounting for the funds appropriated and for certain fiscal information disclosure.

SB 930 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Prior Printer's No. 1113.Printer's No. 1313. A Supplement to the act of July 28, 1966 (3rd Sp.Sess., P.L.87, No.3), known as the University of Pittsburgh--Commonwealth Act, making appropriations for carrying the same into effect; providing for a basis for payments of such appropriations, for a method of accounting for the funds appropriated and for certain fiscal information disclosure.

SB 931 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1114. A Supplement to the act of November 30, 1965 (P.L.843, No.355), known as the Temple University--Commonwealth Act, making appropriations for carrying the same into effect; providing for a basis for payments of such appropriations; and providing a method of accounting for the funds appropriated and for certain fiscal information disclosure.

SB 932 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1115. A Supplement to the act of July 7, 1972 (P.L.743, No.176), known as the Lincoln University-Commonwealth Act, making an appropriation for carrying the same into effect; providing for a basis for payments of the appropriation; and providing a method of accounting for the funds appropriated and for certain fiscal information disclosure.

SB 933 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1116. An Act making an appropriation to the Trustees of Drexel University, Philadelphia.

SB 934 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Prior Printer's No. 1117.Printer's No. 1314. An Act making appropriations to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania.

SB 935 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1118. An Act making appropriations to the Philadelphia Health and Education Corporation for the Colleges of Medicine, Public Health, Nursing and Health Professions and for continuation of pediatric services.

SB 936 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1119. An Act making appropriations to the Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia.

SB 937 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1120. An Act making an appropriation to the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia.

SB 938 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1121. An Act making an appropriation to the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Philadelphia.

SB 939 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1122. An Act making an appropriation to the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, for instruction and student aid.

SB 940 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1123. An Act making appropriations to the Trustees of the Berean Training and Industrial School at Philadelphia for operation and maintenance expenses.

SB 941 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1124. An Act making an appropriation to the Johnson Technical Institute of Scranton for operation and maintenance expenses.

SB 942 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1125. An Act making an appropriation to the Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades in Delaware County for operation and maintenance expenses.

SB 943 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1126. An Act making an appropriation to the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie.

SB 944 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1127. An Act making an appropriation to the Fox Chase Institute for Cancer Research, Philadelphia, for the operation and maintenance of the cancer research program.

SB 945 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1128. An Act making an appropriation to the Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, for operation and maintenance expenses and for AIDS research.

SB 946 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1129. An Act making an appropriation to the Central Penn Oncology Group.

SB 947 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Prior Printer's No. 1130.Printer's No. 1315. An Act making an appropriation to the Lancaster Cleft Palate for outpatient-inpatient treatment.

SB 948 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1131. An Act making an appropriation to the Burn Foundation, Philadelphia, for outpatient and inpatient treatment.

SB 950 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1132. An Act making an appropriation to The Children's Institute, Pittsburgh, for treatment and rehabilitation of certain persons with disabling diseases.

SB 951 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1133. An Act making an appropriation to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for comprehensive patient care and general maintenance and operation of the hospital.

SB 952 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1134. An Act making an appropriation to the Beacon Lodge Camp.

SB 953 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Prior Printer's No. 1135.Printer's No. 1316. An Act making appropriations to the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh for operations and maintenance expenses and the purchase of apparatus, supplies and equipment.

SB 954 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Prior Printer's No. 1136.Printer's No. 1317. An Act making an appropriation to the Franklin Institute Science Museum for maintenance expenses.

SB 955 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Prior Printer's No. 1137.Printer's No. 1318. An Act making an appropriation to the Academy of Natural Sciences for maintenance expenses.

SB 956 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Prior Printer's No. 1138.Printer's No. 1319. An Act making an appropriation to the African-American Museum in Philadelphia for operating expenses.

SB 957 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Prior Printer's No. 1139.Printer's No. 1320. An Act making an appropriation to the Everhart Museum in Scranton for operating expenses.

SB 958 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Prior Printer's No. 1140.Printer's No. 1321. An Act making an appropriation to the Mercer Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, for operating expenses.

SB 959 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Prior Printer's No. 1141.Printer's No. 1322. An Act making an appropriation to the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for operating expenses.

SENATE

HB 1590 By Representatives MARKOSEK, D. EVANS, McCALL and DeWEESE. Prior Printer's Nos. 1971, 2088, 2170, 2179.Printer's No. 2342. An Act amending Titles 53 (Municipalities Generally), 74 (Transportation) and 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for minority and women-owned business participation; authorizing local taxation for public transportation assistance; repealing provisions relating to public transportation assistance; providing for transportation issues and for sustainable mobility options; consolidating the Turnpike Organization, Extension and Toll Road Conversion Act; providing for Turnpike Commission standards of conduct; in provisions on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, further providing for definitions, for authorizations and for conversion to toll roads and providing for conversion of Interstate 80, for application, for lease of Interstate 80, for payments, for other interstate highways, for fund distribution, for impact, for financial plan and for nonperformance; in taxes for highway maintenance and construction, providing for definitions; further providing for imposition and for allocation of proceeds; providing for special revenue bonds, for expenses, for application of proceeds of obligations, for trust indenture, for exemption, for pledged revenues, for special revenue refunding bonds, for remedies, for Motor License Fund proceeds, for construction and for funding; and making related repeals.

HB 1631 By Representative D. EVANS. Prior Printer's Nos. 2055, 2108, 2112, 2150.Printer's No. 2345. An Act providing for the Pennsylvania Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund Capital Budget for 2007; itemizing projects to be assisted by the Department of Community and Economic Development, together with their estimated financial costs; authorizing recurring payments for certain projects; and making appropriations.

HB 1203 Prior Printer's Nos. 1668, 1995, 2057, 2291, 2297, 2340.Printer's No. 2343. An Act amending the act of November 30, 2004 (P.L.1672, No.213), known as the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act, further providing for the definitions of "alternative energy credit," "customer-generator," "force majeure," "net metering," and "Tier I alternative energy source," for alternative energy portfolio standards, for portfolio requirements in other states and for interconnection standards for customer-generator facilities.

HB 1295 By Representatives HANNA, BAKER, BELFANTI, CONKLIN, DENLINGER, FABRIZIO and CALTAGIRONE. Prior Printer's Nos. 1600, 2125, 2173, 2239.Printer's No. 2349. An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, providing for Commonwealth employees group life insurance; further providing for the State System of Higher Education and for budget implementation; providing for general budget implementation and for 2007-2008 budget implementation and restrictions on appropriations for funds and accounts; and making a related repeal.

HB 1530 Prior Printer's Nos. 1876, 2182, 2285, 2298.Printer's No. 2344. An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in restructuring of electric utility industry, further providing for duties of electric distribution companies.

HB 1656 By Representatives MOYER and MENSCH. Prior Printer's Nos. 2136, 2284, 2294.Printer's No. 2341. An Act authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Governor, to grant and convey to Skippack Township certain lands situate in Skippack Township, Montgomery County, in exchange for Skippack Township granting and conveying certain lands to the Commonwealth to be added to those existing lands at Evansburg State Park; authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, to grant and convey to Jefferson County certain lands situate in Winslow Township, Jefferson County; authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, to grant and convey to the Borough of Mansfield certain lands situate in the Borough of Mansfield, Tioga County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey, at a price to be determined through a public solicitation for proposals, certain lands, buildings and improvements situate in the First and Second Wards of the City of Pittsburgh, County of Allegheny, known as the Pittsburgh State Office Building; and authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey, at a price to be determined through a public solicitation for proposals, certain lands, buildings and improvements situate in the City and County of Philadelphia, known as the Philadelphia State Office Building.

PA in the August Issue of Money

A few Pennsylvania tidbits from the August issue of Money Magazine.

Geisinger Health System in Pennsylvania is the first U.S. hospital offering a warranty on surgery (p. 31)

The cover story, "The Best places to live," features 100 towns that have "everything any family could want." Pennsylvania has four towns on the list:

#9 Nether Providence (Wallingford)
#12 West Goshen
#15 Horsham
#87 Emmaus

An accompanying article "Where we'll live tomorrow," (p. 104-105) by Joel Kotkin contains this interesting quote:

One would imagine that the residents of Philadelphia, a city of well-established neighborhoods, would identify strongly with their communities. Yet a recent Temple University study found that nearby suburbanites were considerably more likely than city dwellers to see their neighborhood as "home."

(An abstract of that study "Where We Stand: Community Indicators for Metropolitan Philadelphia," which has multiple authors, is available, with a link to the full study for those interested in more data.)

Furloughed State Works to be Paid

According to today's Inquirer ("No lost state pay in 1-day furlough," by Martha Raeffele), state workers will be paid for the one day they were furloughed during the state budget battle between the governor and the legislature.

The July 9 furlough will be treated as a paid office closing, such as a snow day, Rendell spokesman Doug Rohanna said. Depending on their pay schedules, employees will receive the money in paychecks issued Aug. 3 or Aug. 10, said Mia DeVane, spokeswoman for the Office of Administration.

This is good news, though I think better planning and more cooperation could have prevented the problem in the first place.

Damsker / Hoeffel Video

Democratic candidates for Montgomery County commissioner, Ruth Damsker and Joe Hoeffel have posted video of their joint appearance on a local television program. You can watch for yourself at:

http://votedamskerhoeffel.com/newsroom_details.asp?id=946

Off Topic: Petsitting Letter

Now that it looks like the legislature is actually done or almost done with business, and staffers can actually think about vacations, let me present the template for a document our family has used for about the past 20 years. When we go away for more than a night or two we have a neighbor look after the cats. Sometimes we hire a college student to house sit but often a teen in the area is anxious for a first paying job and they are usually conscientious and eager to please. An adult who knows us would probably know what to do in case of an emergency, a cat gets sick or gets out of the house and is hit by a car, but a kid is likely to be unprepared for such an event. So, we often leave a letter with the petsitter and send a copy to the vet, spelling out what vet costs we will pre-approve and when we need to be contacted and our wishes in the event of a serious injury.

It is possible I copied it from a printed source somewhere but if so the origins are lost to memory. I don't know if such a document would stand up in court but the vet's staff has always seemed really appreciative when I have sent or taken them this note before we leave.

To Whom It May Concern,

[Names of pet owners] have [number, species], [names of pets], who are patients at [vets office or animal hospital]. From [dates], we will be away and our pets will be in the care of [name, if applicable, give names of teen's parents].

If a medical emergency should occur while we are away we would like it known that we will preauthorize any veterinary care up to the amount of [dollar amount] for each cat. If care should go above that amount we would like to be consulted and [name of petsitter] will know how to reach us.

The quality of life of our pets is important to us and in the event that a veterinarian determines the extent of a cat’s injuries are such that a meaningful recovery is not possible we preauthorize the vet to euthanize the cat.

More Montco Courthouse Intrigue

For those who haven't been keeping score, the current Republican Montgomery County controller decided not to seek re-election after there was some question of the validity of some signatures on his ballot petitions. One of the assistant district attorneys who was also running for controller is now unopposed. (See my earlier post on that here.)

In the intervening months the county controller has discovered a few things that he thinks might be irregular. The latest is political work done by the administrative assistant of the First Assistant District Attorney, also the Republican candidate for DA since the current district attorney is now one of the Republican candidates for county commissioner. The two articles on this that I have found are by the same reporter but for different papers and some of the details are different. You'll have to read them both and see if you can figure everything out.

"DA claims a political vendetta," by Margaret Gibbons The Reporter Online 7/10

"County controller questions GOP fundraising effort," by Margaret Gibbons, Times Herald 7/02

Democratic candidate for District Attorney, Peter Amuso has said he will stop allowing political campaigns to be run out of the DA's office. (See my brief post on Amuso.)

Ending the Day With PCN

I watched about the last 25 minutes of the Pennsylvania State House this evening, from 10:35 to 11:00 or so. It was not encouraging.

Speaker Dennis O'Brien had to keep asking House members to stop talking over their colleague at the microphone, to stop having conferences in the well of the house, and to generally behave themselves. He looked as tired and exasperated as a parent whose children will not leave the cat alone or pick up their toys or stop drawing on the walls or whatever. Rep. Evans, who was repeatedly called to the microphone to answer questions about budget, also looked exhausted, which may be why he kept calling Rep. Kate Harper Mr. Speaker (usually in her case it would be Madame Speaker). [UPDATE: I am corrected by a commenter who says according to rules of procedure all questions and answers are addressed to whoever is at the podium. In this case it was O'Brien so Mr. Speaker was absolutely correct.]

Rep. Daryl Metcalfe provided the sort of rhetoric that I have come to expect from him. He said the budget did not provide money for treatment, treatment for the spendaholism that the governor so clearly had. When the House, by its own rules, had only 12 minutes to finish important business before suspending for the day, I don't think Rep. Metcalfe helped matters any. Rep. DeWeese called the question and whatever bill (HB 1256?) was under discussion seemed to pass. The House will reconvene tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.

This is no way to run a railroad, let alone a state.

Second Quarter Campaign Finance Reports

Okay, our congressional buddies from the general suburban Philadelphia area have filed their second quarter fundraising reports. Remember that these reports are often amended (you can throw stones if you have ever prepared one, otherwise keep any snark on that topic to yourself).

I have included information on Sam Bennett's campaign. There are no other formally declared candidates in these districts that I know of. If there are two sets of numbers in a category the first is for this past 3 months (April - June), the second is for the campaign cycle total. I did not break down individual contributions by itemized and unitemized (large vs small amounts). I also did not include a category of there were no numbers in it, just to keep this from being any more blindingly difficult to work with than it already is. If you are interested in itemized / unitemized numbers or more information on any of the finance reports, check them out at www.fec.gov

So, in district order, here we go!

6th Congressional District

Incumbent Republican Jim Gerlach

I RECEIPTS
Individuals 188,163.00 / 311,303.09
Political Party Committees 495.00 / 756.32
Other Political Committees (such as PACS) 235,500.00 / 338,500.00
Total Contributions 424,158.00 / 650,559.41
Transfers From Other Authorized Committees 3,424.30 / 3,424.30
Offsets to Operating Expenditures (Refunds, Rebates, etc) 7.00 / 4,445.55
Other Receipts 1,276.78 / 1,813.04
Total Receipts 428,866.08 / 660,242.30

II. DISBURSEMENTS
Operating Expenditures 191,057.36 / 421,490.55
Refunds of Contributions 800.00 / 800.00
Other Disbursements 1,500.00 / 1,500.00
Total Disbursements 193,357.36 / 423,790.55

III. CASH SUMMARY
Cash On Hand At Beginning Of Reporting Period 106,981.16
Total Receipts This Period 428,866.08 / 660,242.30
Subtotal 535,847.24
Total Disbursements This Period 193,357.36 / 423,790.55
Cash On Hand At Close Of The Reporting Period 342,489.88

Personal observation: 45,000 FEC fine listed as a debt or obligation

7th Congressional District

Incumbent Democrat Joe Sestak

I. RECEIPTS
Individuals: 330,766.01 / 629,153.15
Political Party Committees 255.58 / 2,112.55
PACS 165,400.19 / 315,500.19
Total Contributions 496,421.78 / 951,365.89
Transfers From Other Authorized Committees 30,550.00 / 33,054.46
(Refunds, Rebates, etc) 292.80 / 22,936.57
Total Receipts 527,264.60 / 987,356.92

II. DISBURSEMENTS
Operating Expenditures 41,767.58 / 219,061.04
Total Contribution Refunds 325.00 / 360.00
Total Disbursements 42,092.58 / 219,421.04

III. CASH SUMMARY
Cash On Hand At Beginning Of Reporting Period 587,264.80
Total Receipts This Period 527,264.60 / 987,356.92
Subtotal 1,114,529.40
Total Disbursements This Period 42,092.58 / 219,421.04
Cash On Hand At Close Of The Reporting Period 1,072,436.82

Personal observation: There are no salaries listed in the disbursements. He appears to have no paid campaign staff at the moment.

8th Congressional District


Incumbent Democrat Patrick Murphy

I. RECEIPTS
Individuals/ 512,577.62 / 680,966.74
Political Party Committees 102.22 / 7,056.03
Other Political Committees (such as PACS) 238,150.00 / 472,020.33
Total Contributions 750,829.84 / 1,160,043.10
Transfers From Other Authorized Committees 35,620.48 / 35,620.48
Other Receipts 1,242.44 / 35,900.70
Total Receipts 787,692.76 / 1,231,564.28

II. DISBURSEMENTS
Operating Expenditures 121,823.23 / 331,672.43

III. CASH SUMMARY
Cash On Hand At Beginning Of Reporting Period 298,963.00
Total Receipts This Period 787,692.76 / 1,231,564.28
Subtotal 1,086,655.76
Total Disbursements This Period 121,823.23 / 333,300.43
Cash On Hand At Close Of The Reporting Period 964,832.53

13th Congressional District

Incumbent Democrat Allyson Schwartz

I. RECEIPTS
Individuals 352,050.96 / 653,965.35
Political Party Committees 143.24 / 284.14
Other Political Committees (such as PACS) 164,700.00 / 266,900.00
Total Contributions 516,894.20 / 921,149.49
Refunds, Rebates, etc 18,723.50 / 19,993.88
Other Receipts 1,703.55 / 4,400.26
Total Receipts 537,321.25 / 945,543.63

II. DISBURSEMENTS
Operating Expenditures 65,991.63 / 232,584.41
Refunds of Contributions: 2,000.00 / 2,700.00
Other Disbursements 56,325.00 / 62800.00
Total Disbursements 124,316.63 / 298,084.41

III. CASH SUMMARY
Cash On Hand At Beginning Of Reporting Period 885,875.69
Total Receipts This Period 537,321.25 / 945,543.63
Subtotal 1,423,196.94
Total Disbursements This Period 124,316.63 / 298,084.41
Cash On Hand At Close Of The Reporting Period 1,298,880.31

Personal observations: Schwartz's disbursements included paying a parking ticket in Philadelphia and health insurance costs, presumably the health insurance is for a campaign worker. If so, this is unusual and to her credit.

15th Congressional district

Incumbent Charlie Dent (R)

I. RECEIPTS
Individuals 114,398.24 / 225,340.44
Political Party Committees 196.00 / 196.00
PACS 109,100.00 / 184,350.00
Total Contributions 223,694.24 / 409,886.44
Other Receipts 129.73 / 386.51
Total Receipts 223,823.97 / 412,901.95

II. DISBURSEMENTS
Operating Expenditures 72,759.03 / 315,313.27
Refunds of Contributions: 150.00 / 150.00
Total Disbursements 72,909.03 / 315,463.27

III. CASH SUMMARY
Cash on hand at beginning of reporting period 202,547.75
Total Receipts 223,823.97 / 412,901.05
Subtotal 444,371.72
Total Disbursements this Period 72,909.03 / 315,463.27
Cash on hand at close of reporting period 371,462.69

Democratic Challenger "Sam" Bennett

I. RECEIPTS
Contributions from individuals: 39,022.56
PACS 24,000
Total Receipts: 63,022.56

II. DISBURSEMENTS
Operating Expenditures 18,692.25

III. CASH SUMMARY
Cash On Hand at Beginning of Reporting Period: 0.00
Total Receipts: 63,022.56
Total Disbursements: 18,692.25
Cash on Hand at Close of the Reporting Period: 44,330.31

Personal Observations: Should Bennett be paying Team Blue Politics Inc $3K a month for consulting at this stage of the game? I don't know enough about the campaign game to say if this is a sound use of money or not.

Regional Caucus at YearlyKos

If you are planning to attend YearlyKos and would like to be involved in a regional caucus, or if you aren't attending but would still like to be involved, contact kidoakland (kidoakland [at] comcast.net)

SB 913: A Bad Idea

The Pennsylvania Senate passed SB 913, which the Post-Gazette described:

A relatively small item in the recently negotiated state budget deal -- a plan to shift $40 million from parks and libraries to hazardous waste cleanup -- threatens to snag passage of the $27.3 billion spending plan.

("Keystone Fund a hang-up for budget," by Tracy Mauriello (7/13)

This just can't be a good idea. I hope there can be other adjustments made. Pennsylvania's libraries have not done well money-wise in recent years and the competition for recreation money in the state is fierce. Halving Keystone Fund monies to pay for the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program will, in my opinion, cause more problems than it will solve.

February Pennsylvania House Journals

In a continuing effort to catch up with summarizing previously released state house journals, I bring you February.

The Pennsylvania State House of Representatives met in full session (theoretically at least) on seven days.

Feb. 1 (5 p.)
Feb. 5 (16 p.)
Feb. 6 (22 p.)
Feb. 7 (6 p.)
Feb. 12 (18 p.)
Feb. 13 (15 p.)
Feb. 14 (1 p.)

Most pages of the journal are full of lists of bills being shuffled off to committee or being voted on with little or no discussion. There are also local sports teams and visitors and so on to be congratulated and introduced. What I look for primarily is interesting discussion or quotes that seem noteworthy.

Feb. 5
p. 2-3, Rep. Louise Bishop compares Sen. Marge Tartaglione to Rosa Parks because of the senators fight to raise the state’s minimum wage.

Feb. 6
p. 4-10, Gov. Rendell’s budget address (this is where it all started).
p. 10-12, Rep. Dwight Evans’ address on the budget
p. 12 Rep. Mario Civera’s address on the budget

Feb. 7
Committee membership changes are mentioned.

PA in the WSJ

PA in the WSJ

This is a list of articles regarding Pennsylvania in this past week's Wall Street Journal. Chances are I missed something, but these are the articles that caught my eye.

It should be noted that I routinely do not read the editorials in the WSJ. So any discussions of the state, its elected officials, businesses, or citizens, in editorials will not be mentioned here.


PA Politicians

Sen. Arlen Specter resurfaces as a sponsor of climate-change legislation, with co-sponsor Jeff Bingaman in “Inside messy reality of cutting power plans CO2 output,” by Rebecca Smith (7/12)

PA Businesses

Spain’s Iberdrola purchase of Community Energy of Wayne, as well as the wind energy industry generally is the subject of “Alternative energy hurt by windmill shortage,” by Keith Johnson (7/09)

Jeanne Whalen as an interview with Jean-Pierre Garnier of GlaxoSmithKline notes that it takes place in Glaxo’s Philadelphia office, “Glaxo’s Gernier is taking the heat,” (7/09)

Geisinger Health System of Danville is mentioned in “ICU’s message: Welcome, families,” by Laura Landro (7/12)

The Bristol based company is the focus of “Jones Apparel’s chief quits amid market shift,” by Rachel Dodes and Joann S. Lublin (7/13)

Brief mentions: Lincoln National (7/09)

Mark Volavka, executive director of the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council is quoted in “How to size up your hospital,” by Theo Francis (7/10)

Other PA

Lee Kern a special education professor at Lehigh University is quoted in “When discipline starts a fight,” by Robert Tomsho (7/09)

Former PA resident Nancy Kelly, now executive vp of Huntingon National Bank is profiled in an ad on 7/09)

Temple MBA grad Michele Stafiniak is quoted in “Refresher programs help previous graduates get up to date,” by Ronald Alsop (7/10)

Other Interesting Tidbits

The tenth anniversary of blogging is extolled in “Happy Blogiversary“ by Tunku Varadarajan (7/14)

Another blogging article is found on 7/13, “Executives get the blogging bug,” by Erin White, Joann S. Lublin and David Kesmodel.

weekly legislative update

At least one chamber of the legislature is in session this afternoon but rather than wait for the daily email announcement tonight or tomorrow, I'm posting what has passed since last weekend.

This is a list of bills that passed the Pennsylvania House or Senate this week, and mention of any noteworthy resolutions. Standard caveats apply (resolutions not generally included, list of sponsors deleted if it was too long - three lines in the originally formatting).

Our accountant friends at PICPA have provided their usual informative weekly update.

Other updates this week:

PA GOP Senate
PA Democratic Senate
PA GOP House (daily session updates)
PA Democratic House

Resolutions

SR 153 By Senators PILEGGI and MELLOW. Printer's No. 1289. A Resolution prohibiting the use of funds appropriated to the Senate to pay or reimburse for costs associated with the use of automatic dialing-announcing devices.
Bills

House

HB 1150 Prior Printer's Nos. 1448, 2237.Printer's No. 2326. An Act amending the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, providing, in health and accident insurance, for autism spectrum disorders coverage and for treatment of autism spectrum disorders; and further providing for quality health care procedures.

SB 968 Prior Printer's Nos. 1160, 1169, 1202, 1235, 1281.Printer's No. 1298. An Act amending the act of March 20, 2002 (P.L.154, No.13), known as the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act, providing for reduction and prevention of health care-associated infection and for long-term care nursing facilities.

HB 1152 Printer's No. 1400. An Act amending Title 13 (Commercial Code) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, extensively revising preliminary provisions and provisions relating to warehouse receipts, bills of lading and documents of title; further providing, in secured transactions, for definitions, for perfection and priority in deposit accounts and for perfection upon attachment; and making editorial changes.

HB 1423 By Representatives HANNA, BRENNAN, MAHONEY, SIPTROTH, STABACK, SOLOBAY, CALTAGIRONE, CONKLIN, CAUSER, PETRONE, BARRAR, THOMAS, DeLUCA and JAMES. Prior Printer's Nos. 1753, 1886.Printer's No. 2292. An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, adding definitions of "certified parking meter inspector" and "local government unit"; and providing for certified parking meter inspectors and for general testing and inspections.

HB 1621 By Representative M. O'BRIEN. Printer's No. 2074. An Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the concurrence of the Department of Environmental Protection, to lease to VTE Philadelphia, LP, or its nominee, land within the bed of the Delaware River in the City of Philadelphia.

HB 1627

HB 1662 Printer's No. 2197. An Act amending the act of February 14, 1986 (P.L.2, No.2), known as the Acupuncture Registration Act, redesignating registration as licensure.

HB 83 Prior Printer's Nos. 107, 2234.Printer's No. 2265. An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Public Welfare Code, providing for reporting requirements; further providing for Assistance Recipient Identification Program; providing for income eligibility verification system; further providing for local administration of assistance; providing for fraud detection system and for residency and county assistance offices; and requiring the Department of Public Welfare to provide personal care home information on the department's Internet website.

HB 1329 Printer's No. 1672. An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, further providing for jurisdiction of the zoning hearing board and the court of common pleas in challenges to the validity of an ordinance for procedural defects in the process of enactment.

HB 1330 Prior Printer's Nos. 1673, 2148.Printer's No. 2262. An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for appeal from ordinances, resolutions, maps, etc.

SB 466 SB 466 By Senators ROBBINS, SCARNATI, O'PAKE, MADIGAN, WOZNIAK, CORMAN, LAVALLE, RHOADES, MUSTO, PUNT, WONDERLING, BOSCOLA, REGOLA, McILHINNEY, BAKER, BRUBAKER and FOLMER. Prior Printer's Nos. 511, 1093, 1226, 1280.Printer's No. 1297. An Act amending the act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45), known as the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, further providing for application, for changes in the Uniform Construction Code and for exemptions.

SB 623 By Senators GREENLEAF, BOSCOLA, RAFFERTY, STACK, BROWNE, O'PAKE, PUNT, TOMLINSON, WAUGH, FOLMER, RHOADES, ERICKSON, LOGAN, WOZNIAK and WONDERLING. Prior Printer's Nos. 677, 1282.Printer's No. 1324. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, defining "corrections officer"; further providing for use of force in law enforcement; in theft and related offenses, defining "firearm"; and providing for firearm tracing.

HB 289 Prior Printer's Nos. 331, 2053.Printer's No. 2263. An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, further providing for expenses of county boards and of primaries and elections to be paid by counties, for the date of the general primary and for absentee electors files and lists.

HB 1530 Prior Printer's Nos. 1876, 2182, 2285.Printer's No. 2298. An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in restructuring of electric utility industry, further providing for duties of electric distribution companies.

SB 97 By Senators D. WHITE, ARMSTRONG, CORMAN, EARLL, PUNT, RAFFERTY, BRUBAKER, WOZNIAK, PIPPY, BROWNE, STACK, REGOLA and WONDERLING. Prior Printer's Nos. 132, 1166, 1217, 1275.Printer's No. 1285. An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in sales and use tax, further defining "manufacture"; further providing, in sales and use tax, for refund of sales tax attributed to bad debt; in personal income tax, for operational provisions; in capital stock franchise tax, for the definition of "capital stock value" and, in bank and trust company shares tax, for ascertainment of taxable amount and exclusion of United States obligations; providing for a film production tax credit and conferring powers and imposing duties upon the Department of Community and Economic Development and for a resource enhancement and protection tax credit; further providing, in neighborhood assistance tax credit, for definitions, for tax credit and for grant of tax credit; and providing for pass-through entities and powdered metallurgy parts.

HB 1235 Prior Printer's Nos. 1519, 2099.Printer's No. 2235. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for grading the offense of impersonating a public servant, for exceptions to the prohibition of interception and disclosure of certain communications, for challenge to criminal history records, for review of challenge and for appeals.




SENATE

HB 1253 Prior Printer's Nos. 1548, 1986, 2019, 2176.Printer's No. 2296. An Act amending the act of May 22, 1951 (P.L.317, No.69), known as The Professional Nursing Law, further providing for scope of practice for certified registered nurse practitioners; and providing for professional liability.

HB 1254 Prior Printer's Nos. 1549, 1994, 2289.Printer's No. 2295. An Act amending the act of May 22, 1951 (P.L.317, No.69), known as The Professional Nursing Law, providing for the definition of "clinical nurse specialist"; and providing for clinical nurse specialists.

HB 202 Prior Printer's Nos. 235, 2283.Printer's No. 2286. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for conditions of permits and security for damages; and extending provisions regarding reports and removal of abandoned vehicles to cities of the second class.

HB 1251 By Representatives READSHAW, EACHUS, KORTZ, SIPTROTH, TANGRETTI, THOMAS, WOJNAROSKI, FABRIZIO and CALTAGIRONE. Prior Printer's Nos. 1539, 1984, 2174.Printer's No. 2287. An Act amending the act of December 20, 1985 (P.L.457, No.112), known as the Medical Practice Act of 1985, further providing for physician assistants.

HB 1252 By Representatives READSHAW, EACHUS, KORTZ, SIPTROTH, TANGRETTI, THOMAS, WOJNAROSKI, FABRIZIO and CALTAGIRONE. Prior Printer's Nos. 1540, 1985, 2175.Printer's No. 2288. An Act amending the act of October 5, 1978 (P.L.1109, No.261), known as the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act, further providing for physician assistants.

HB 1255 Prior Printer's Nos. 1550, 1987, 2177.Printer's No. 2290. An Act amending the act of December 20, 1985 (P.L.457, No.112), known as the Medical Practice Act of 1985, providing for the definition of "legend drug"; and further providing for nurse-midwife license.

SB 690 By Senators WAUGH, PUNT, STOUT, McILHINNEY, MADIGAN, ORIE, CORMAN, ROBBINS, RAFFERTY, MUSTO, ERICKSON, O'PAKE, RHOADES, FOLMER, BROWNE, ARMSTRONG, BOSCOLA, EICHELBERGER, DINNIMAN, WASHINGTON and PIPPY. Prior Printer's Nos. 1012, 1167.Printer's No. 1290. An Act establishing the Resource Enhancement and Protection Tax Credit Program for the stewardship of agricultural lands and riparian corridors; creating opportunities for private investment in best management practices and riparian corridors; establishing a sponsorship program; authorizing the transferability of the tax credits; and imposing powers and duties on the Department of Revenue and the State Conservation Commission.

SB 917 By Senator WOZNIAK. Printer's No. 1106. An Act authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to CDM Ebensburg, LLC, certain lands situate in Cambria Township, Cambria County.

SB 989 By Senator PICCOLA. Printer's No. 1207. An Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to the Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union, certain lands situate in Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County.

HB 896 Prior Printer's Nos. 1049, 1403, 1844, 2178.Printer's No. 2238. An Act amending the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, further providing for definitions, for special occasion permits, for wine auction permits, for limiting number of retail licenses to be issued in each county, for unlawful acts relative to liquor, malt and brewed beverages and licensees, for qualifications for licenses, for applications for certain licenses and for limited wineries.

New PA Congressmen in the News

I've bookmarked a few articles and they seem to group together nicely, so here is a trio of views on the most recent Democratic Congressional representatives from our general area.

From Salena Zito of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, "The Battle for Pennsylvania," (7/01). Excerpt:

So who's vulnerable?

Not Patrick Murphy. He probably has done the most to establish himself as a quality incumbent who deserves re-election -- certainly more so than the other three. From the work he has done pursuing a national veterans cemetery in Bucks County to securing $1.1 million for Delaware River flood prevention and repairs, he gets the importance of paying attention to local issues. The only veteran of the Iraq war serving in Congress, he also co-authored legislation for a 21st Century GI Bill of Rights.

Probably not Joe Sestak either. His seat in the southeast near Philadelphia has been held by a Democrat in the past and, based on the district's voting performance, likely will be very hard for the GOP to win back.

She thinks Chris Carney is the most endangered with Jason Altmire in the maybe category.

Next up, Chris Cillizza writing for the Washington Post's blog, The Fix, "The Line: GOP Hopes to 'ROMP' Its Way Back to House Majority" (6/29). Excerpt:

Pennsylvania's 10th District (D): U.S. Attorney Tom Marino's decision not to challenge freshman Rep. Chris Carney (D) robbed Republicans of their strongest potential candidate. But wealthy businessman Dan Meuser's (R) almost-certain candidacy means Republicans still plan to seriously contest this seat. By the numbers, it's a district Republicans should have never lost -- Bush won it with 60 percent of the vote in 2004. But former Rep. Don Sherwood's (R) personal problems dominated the '06 race, helping to hand Carney a victory. The freshman Democrat will face a much tougher race this time around.

Zito thinks Gerlach and Dent are on the Democratic hit list; Cillizza presents proof with both of them the ROMP list (seats the GOP has decided next extra help in campaigning)

And last but not least, from Greg Giroux at Cqpolitics.com, "Freshmen, Southerners Among Leading House Dem Dissidents," (7/09), Democrats with the lowest party unity scores (thus able to present themselves as independents):

6. Jason Altmire, Pennsylvania’s 4th (75.7 percent). Altmire was an upset winner in 2006 over three-term Republican Rep. Melissa A. Hart, who has not ruled out a comeback attempt in 2008 in a district that includes suburbs of Pittsburgh and which is socially conservative and economically populist.

Also considering a House bid is Lynn Swann, the former Pittsburgh Steelers football great who was the Republican nominee for governor last year: Though Democratic Gov. Edward G. Rendell won an overall landslide, Swann finished narrowly ahead in the 4th District.

Ron Francis, a former county commissioner, already is running for the Republican nomination.

later

11. Christopher Carney, Pennsylvania’s 10th (81.4 percent). Carney has one of the more Republican-leaning districts among first-term Democrats, and was greatly aided in 2006 by the fact that Republican incumbent Don Sherwood was badly damaged by a sex scandal. There is a long list of potential GOP candidates, though Democrats took note recently that the Republican field will not include U.S. Attorney Thomas A. Marino — a top prospect who recently said that he will not challenge Carney.

then further down the list

14. Patrick Murphy, Pennsylvania’s 8th (83.2 percent). Murphy, an Iraq war veteran who ousted one-term Republican Rep. Michael G. Fitzpatrick in 2006, has been a vocal party loyalist in promoting a redeployment of U.S. troops from that conflict. He is somewhat less party-line on economic policy. His district, which is dominated by suburban Bucks County north of Philadelphia, is trending more Democratic than Republican.

January Pennsylvania House Journals

The Pennsylvania State House of Representatives met in full session 8 times in January, 2007. This is a brief summary of what was reported in the House Journals for those days. Much of the Journal is taken up with lists of bills voted on without discussion, lists of bills referred to committee, congratulatory notes regarding visitors, and the like. Only pithy discussions or things that randomly catch my eye are noted here.

Jan. 16 (2 p.)
Jan. 17 (1 p.)
Jan. 22 (1 p.)
Jan. 23 (2 p.)
Jan. 24 (1 p.)
Jan. 29 (5 p.)
Jan. 30 (31 p.)
Jan. 31 (6 p.)

Jan. 2
p. 5-12 Dennis O'Brien nominated as Speaker of the House. Bill DeWeese speaks. Much discussion. Since the House had not passed rules for itself yet the Masonic Manual was used to make parliamentary decisions, which usually required a lot of thumbing around.
p. 12 vote on Speaker
p. 13 Josh Shapiro and Barbara McIlvaine Smith escort O'Brien to the rostrum [blogger's note: this custom alarms me -- are they afraid he will be mugged in route?]
p. 15, in a comment from Bill DeWeese: "In the last few years, while it has changed in the business world, the world of the Internet, the world of communications, of bloggers and all of those reams of writing that are out there, out world that we conduct business has changed."
Jan. 29 p. 3, teh number of minority party members on committees increased
Jan. 30, a long list of committees and membership on those committees.

Furloughed Workers May Get Time Not Money

In today's Patriot News, Brett Lieberman (of Pennsyltucky Politics fame) writes in "State looks for ways to pay those furloughed,"

An extra snow day, a personal day or other administrative leave are some of the options the Rendell administration is considering as a way of compensating the nearly 24,000 workers that Gov. Ed Rendell ordered furloughed Sunday night when a budget deal remained elusive.

In other words, they are likely to be paid in time not money. To those with flush bank accounts this might be okay, but not all state workers are in that situation:

PennDOT employee Chiffon Saunders, 21, of Harrisburg, agreed.

"I work from paycheck to paycheck, and I usually don't miss days from work," Saunders said. "I have a 6-month-old son and he needs to eat and the bills need to be paid ... and them keeping me out for a day" will cost about $100, she estimated.

What has bugged her the most, Saunders added, is that those that caused the impasse -- the governor and lawmakers -- will all be paid in full retroactively once the budget is enacted. Paying workers affected by their standoff only seems right, she said.

She has a point there.

Murphy Resolution on Israel Passes

From the inbox:

Today, the House of Representatives passed Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy’s (D-8th District) resolution that repudiates the University and College Union (UCU) of the United Kingdom for their boycott of Israeli academic institutions. This was Rep. Murphy’s first resolution to receive a vote on the floor of the House and it received unanimous bipartisan support. The bill – H.Res 467 – was passed out of the Foreign Affairs Committee late last month, clearing a key hurdle in its path toward a vote on the House floor. Murphy’s legislation condemns the UCU and urges governments and educators throughout the world to reaffirm the importance of academic freedom and open dialogue. The resolution also urges the general members of the UCU to reject the call of the union’s leadership to boycott Israel both economically and culturally. In a similar move recently, the Association of University Teachers and National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education passed resolutions in 2005 and 2006 supporting a boycott of Israeli academia. Those two unions later merged and formed the UCU. Britain ’s National Union of Journalists called for a boycott of Israeli goods earlier this year. The resolution passed the House unanimously by a margin of 414 to 0.

November House Journals

I have, sadly, been neglecting the PA House and Senate Journals, something I hope to rectify in the near future. The House releases their Journals at a slower pace than the Senate so let’s catch them up first.

In November, 2006, the Pennsylvania House met in full session on seven days,

Nov. 13 (41 p.)
Nov. 14 (16 p.)
Nov. 15 (34 p.)
Nov. 20 (37 p.)
Nov. 21 (41 p.)
Nov. 22 (3 p.)
Nov. 27 (3 p.)

A number of those representatives who were taking their leave of the House for whatever reason, chose to make a farewell speech. Some of these were quite classy, some were humorous, some were neither. Below you will find mention of those farewells as well as any interesting conversations or topics discussed.

The page numbers are to the pdf files and not to the printed pages unless otherwise stated. Most of the Journals are taken up with lists of bills shuffled off to committee or voted on with little discussion.

Nov. 13
p. 13, Farewell of Mr. Pistella, very classy
p. 14-16, Mr. Leh, very classy
p. 22-23 Vitali and O’Brien on mandatory sentences
p. 24 Farewell of Mr. Tigue
p. 37-40 inheritance tax

Nov. 14
p. 11-12 Farewell of Mr. Maitland. Near the beginning of his speech he says, “Two years ago in the general election I got 21,000 votes, 75% of the vote and in this past May’s primary I lost by 3,000 votes to 2500. How does that happen? Please permit me to express my frustration.”
p. 14-15 Mr. Birmelin, very classy

Nov. 15
p. 4 Farewell of Mr. T. Stevenson, very classy, points out bills passed, etc.
p. 4-5 Mr. Gruitza, classy
p. 5-6 Mr. Ruffing, mentions he has an autistic son and acknowledges the work of Denny O’Brien in that regard.
p. 6 Mrs. Lederer, mentions she is the fourth member of the Lederer family to serve in the House since 1948, all from the same city block in Philadelphia. She ends with a quite from Helen Keller, worth repeating: “Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness – it is not attained through self gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”
p. 8-10 Mr. Flick, mostly very classy, acknowledging and thanking colleagues and staff, but we find this very odd note on his staff [names redacted]: [Name] has been with me for 24 years, and there have been no sexual harassment cases whatsoever. So I thank [name] and [name]. Back in the district, [name] and [name] have been working with me. [Name] has been there 24 years, and we have a lot of sexual harassment charges, and I filed them all.”
p. 12-13 sentencing guidelines
p. 17-18 Farewell of Mr. McIlhinney
p. 24-25 discussion on whether only ordained clergy as opposed to other church workers can consider communications regarding child abuse confidential
p. 26-28 discussion on the liability of employers for child abuse committed by their employees and the statute of limitations.
p. 29 rules regarding airplane logs for the governor’s plane
p. 29-30 smoking in casinos
p. 32, kudos to the governor. Note this, part of a statement by Mr. Sather: “This amendment amends Act 2 of 1971, the Tax Code, by excluding the active State duty for emergency pay of Pennsylvania National Guard soldiers from the State income tax. This identical language passed the House and Senate under HB 2282 but was vetoed by the Governor this past weekend due to a nonrelated hotel tax issue which was amended into the bill on the floor some time ago. That has been removed from this amendment, and the amendment goes just to the basis of income from the United States government or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for active State duty for emergency within or outside of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania shall not be taxed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”

Nov. 20
p. 4-5 Farewell of Zub, submitted but not read
p. 5 Mr. Grell asks his fellow representatives to sign a card for a Missouri State Representative who was injured while on active duty in Iraq.
p. 5-6 Farwell of Mr. McNaughton. This was the most graceful and touching of all the farewell speeches. Picking out a few sentences and taking them out of context would not do them justice. If you only read one of these, read this one.
p. 7-9 Mr. Wright. He mentions plainly that he and others in the chamber were elected because they were relatives, frequently sons of previous representatives and thus had good name recognition. He also takes the media to task and says people do not understand how the legislature works.
p. 9-10 Mr. Fleagle, who took paramedic training some years ago and plans to work in that field now. Godspeed Mr. Fleagle.
p. 13-14 liability of landowners in regards to hunting
p. 21-22 Farewell of Mrs. Crahalla, several negative comments about the media
p. 22 Mr. Flaherty
p. 22-24 Mr. Baldwin
p. 24-28 discussion of tort reform?
p. 29-33 roadside collecting for charity
p. 34-36 environmental regulations

Nov. 21
p. 7-8 Farewell of Mr. Allen
p. 8-9 Mr. Wilt
p. 9-10 Mr. Blaum
p. 16 Mr. Gannon, classy
p. 16-18 Mr. Bruce Smith
p. 19-23 discussion of the Pennsylvania Construction Code
p. 24-25 legislation on amusement tax, written to exempt Kennywood from paying tax to schools and the municipality.
p. 35 Mr. Kirkland says “I just hope and pray, Mr. Speaker, that the members of this body continue to be supportive of one another and not become the best or animal or want-to-be gods on the Senate side and being to continue to do things to being and continue to do things that will be disruptive, mean-spirited for no reason at all.” [bloggers note: Mr. Kirkland was upset, and rightfully so, in the October Journals, because he had proposed legislation to name a highway in his district after a particular pioneer official and the Senate had changed the designee.]
p. 36-39 free liquor in casinos.

PA in July/August Fast Company

I’ve been behind on my magazine reading lately and am trying to catch up. The July/August issue of Fast Company arrived this week and has some PA related items in it.

"These Robots Play Fetch," by Evan West, focuses on the Staples’ warehouse in Chambersburg that uses robots to help retrieve items to be packed for orders. It has allowed the warehouse to increase daily output by 60%.

Philadelphia is listed as being “on the verge” of cities called “urban innovators.”


You might also enjoy the cover story on Al Gore.

Gov. Rendell's Press Conference on the Budget

The governor’s press conference from last night was run several times today on PCN and I was able to type up some rough notes. As usual the governor does not talk in sound bites or repeat himself. He starts in and throws around numbers quickly. I hope I got this okay; my apologies for any errors or misconceptions. The Republican caucuses responded and I have rough notes from that as well. A few personal observations are listed at the end.

Rendell:Let me begin by announcing we are rescinding the furlough for workers beginning 12:01. I also want our state workers to know that over the next several days we will examine options for paying them for the missed day. Shortly after 9 p.m. today we have a budget agreement. Although there has been far too much partisan rhetoric. Everyone buckled down and got things done. Thank senate Republican leadership. This is an agreement that all sides can say they achieved some of their goals. As I have said this budget agreement involves 5 parties, the governor and all four caucuses; there have to be some victories and some goals not achieved. The administration very satisfied. First and foremost the budget itself. Every one of the budget priorities achieved, all funding intact for pre-k and full-day kindergarten, laptops for high schools, reduction of mental health and retardation waiting list, expansion of our successful childcare programs, continue our success in transitioning welfare mothers to work, colas for human service workers. As we went through this process cuts had to be made, choice of legislature and administration.

Want to credit Sen. Fumo and Rep. Evans; reached historic transportation agreement, by far most significant amount of money for transportation in history of commonwealth. Mass transit in virtually all of our 38 transit programs. What we have done here will put our transit programs in good stead for next decade or longer. This will produce over the course of decade 900M, 400M to mass transit. Health care, we took the first and very important steps in prescription for PA, lowering health care costs, 5 bills that will allow nurses and nurse practitioners to do more, expanding pool of health care workers that can practice at a lower rate. Reduce hospital acquired infections. In 2005 cost 3.5B dollars of expenses for infections they got while in hospitals. P’burgh VA hospital has dramatically reduced these infections. If we took that 3.5B it would allow businesses to reduce health care costs by 18%.

In energy, HB 1203 solar energy requirement, real boost to our burgeoning solar industry in PA. Two other major initiatives HB 1201, money to pay for incentivizing alternative and renewable energy. Join 11 other states doing the same. Help fellow Pennsylvanians conserve, rebates for appliances and solar panels. On Sept. 17, special session on energy, pass legislation for 60M part bond funding part operating dollars (16?) produce well over 750M dollars. Penn Security Fuels Initiative same thing as alternative energy portfolio standards for fuel. Create those standards require by a certain time every gallon of fuel if diesel contain a % of bio, if regular contain % of ethanol.

Controversial energy surcharge, will try to find alternative to finance it.

Money for Penguins arena in P’burgh and convention center in Philly.

Jonas Salk Legacy Fund, vote around Nov. 1st in Senate. Passed in House.

A good budget for progress in PA. Did not get everything we wanted when we wanted it.

Thanks staff, [did not record names].

Q: smoking ban will be hashed out between house and senate.

Q: RCAP will wait until Senate has chance to put in RCAP projects bill.

Q: On percentage increase, depends on how you count it. Kept spending low.

Q: Budget voted on Friday or Saturday.

Q: If there is a way to make workers whole they will be made whole. ER donating his day’s pay to United Way.

Q: Heard at the end of this process that there isn’t enough time. Energy bill arrived on everyone’s desk in April. Didn’t stay on schedule, everything compressed into last 2 weeks. We have experienced leadership but need to do some new things in the way we discuss issues. Will try next year.

Q: If you look at NJ they were out for 7 days. It is the nature of partisan politics in the 21st century. I think we resolved this swiftly with as little damage to the citizenry as possible. On balance when you think of what is in this budget, a low spending compared to rest of states, citizens will be pleased. If you ride mass transit or care about environment or pay health care premiums you will think this is a wonderful budget. I told you all along that the budget has to be considered along with programs

Q: Yes, there were cuts in the buget.

Q: The agreement we reached, we developed a number. The legislature had to agree where they would cut and governor agree.


REPBULICAN RESPONSE

Sam Smith: This budget a little more chaotic than most. Past few days the behavior on the house floor I was proud of House Republican caucus in standing firm in saying we have to get a budget deal together. Our key goal going into this we could do a budget, people didn’t want a tax increase, we were able to hold firm and achieve that goal. The increase of spending in govt over past few years, current lowest increase recently. We would focus on this as a 2 year budget process. [in background Fumo hugs Pileggi] Energy an important issue, education an important issue, but need to hold hearings so this isn’t a big surprise. I’m pleased with the outcome it will be several days before it is a fait accompli.

Mario Civera: We are the minority party but we led the pace. GOP in House Appropriations led the pace. Thank God for the Senate Republicans. The two parties got together on the same end got this done. Thank governor for getting people back to work. We asked them to give us a spending number we can all agree to. The next several days will be hard. We may get out of here on the weekend maybe Monday or Tuesday. The people of Pennsylvania won this.

Perzel: We have accomplished everything we set out to do.

Q: We expected transportation funding, it is about in the final form. Do not expect any technical difficulty.

Scarnati: We said from the beginning we won’t be obstructionist. But [missed this]

Smith: Gov made mention of timeline. A month or two in the legislative process can be the blink of an eye. We’re willing to work towards those goals but need to work through exact mechanisms to reach those goals.

Personal Observations

Sen. Fumo looked very rumpled. Standing with the governor and other Democrats, all in dark suits and white shirts, Fumo's khakis and blue shirt, tie askew, looked like he had been wrestling the budget to the ground personally. The sight of him hugging Sen. Pileggi in the background when the Republicans was especially annoying. If they are such good buddies why couldn't they get this done with less drama and angst?

Overall, none of these people should be congratulatory or proud. Putting together a state budget is a big part of their job and they were not only nine days late with it but nearly 24,000 people were furloughed for a day. The governor said he will look into having them paid for the day but it is by no means a done deal. Come on, we can surely do better.

Blog Posts From Two Furloughed State Workers

It is almost sacrilege to admit this but I'm not a regular reader of Daily Kos, not even an irregular reader, not even an "now and then" reader. However, lefty blogs alerted me to two PA-related posts today, from furloughed state workers. If this is a topic you are interested in, please read

Is it okay to hold workers hostage for an agenda?

The PA budget impasse, an employee's look

More on the ACORN Presidential Forum

ACM has written up notes from the ACORN Presidential Forum. It is an excellent read and well worth the time.

One Final Word (Hopefully) on the PA Legislature Today

PCN has been showing the Pennsylvania House Republicans interacting with the press. It is interesting. Rep. Sam Smith, House Minority Leader, is definitely ticked off. Note to him, though, when a reporter asks how long they will be on the House floor (the House Dems are not there so the GOP is doing a lot of posturing about that) it isn't a good idea to laugh and say "until you turn the cameras off." That really isn't funny under the circumstances. The GOP in both the House and Senate keep saying they are sticking to their values, no new taxes and control spending.

House Appropriations Committee chair Rep. Dwight Evans of Philadelphia was also shown talking to a reporter. He sounded, as usual, calm and even.

One group was asked who people were blaming for this and some legislator said the blogs were blaming the governor. While I appreciate his faith in this communication medium, I don't think bloggers should be taken as a representative cross section of the state populace. And, personally, I think there is enough blame to go around.

Finally, gosh it sure it nice to know the state's government considers state liquor stores and casinos essential but state parks aren't. That will look great on a tourist brochure and is certainly a wonderful way to market the state as a good home for young families [sarcasm].

Blah. Blah. Blah.

The Pennsylvania Senate is live on PCN.

Sen. Jane Orie, wearing more mascara and eyeliner today than I have in all the days of my entire life combined, came out swinging, tossing blame with abandon.

She was followed by Sen. Bob Mellow, Joe Scarnati, Lisa Baker, Anthony Hughes, and Pat Vance; it's possible that I missed someone or confused names. None of them were wearing make up that I could tell. They have primarily been bemoaning the state of affairs without doing a lot of name calling (or at least no more than you would expect). Sen. Hughes had the best line so far. "None of us has any credibility today." I agree with him wholeheartedly and am turning PCN off for now.

Rep. Turzai Speaks

Further state budget news on PCN:

GOP State Rep. Mike Turzai just came out to say that the Speaker had put them on 6 hour notice (no idea what than means) so there wouldn't be a press conference but tomorrow they would have information on the debt accumulated and the spending under this administration.

My biased translation of this: "Tomorrow, Buddy, the gloves are coming off!!"

Rendell and GOP Talking Smack

I have limited access to PCN this afternoon (somehow related to psychotic cats and a lot of cranberry juice -- trust me, you don't want to know) and just caught the governor talking about the budget impasse. A new (or previously unknown to me) sticking point is raising the debt ceiling. Rendell did not lay blame at the feet of the GOP but when asked about that he said he was being nice. In a similar vein he said they didn't start soon enough and he didn't push hard enough. Ed had his tough guy face on. I wouldn't want to tangle with him when he's in this mood. He did say both sides were close on a number of issues but declined to say how close or what issues. DeWeese took the podium and said a few things.

GOP leadership got their turn and blasted Rendell and the Democrats, saying new issues kept being added to the table. They referred to state workers being held hostage and their outrage was palpable though it came across to me as a bit tinny.

Press releases, video and assorted other pr tools available at:

www.state.pa.us
www.pahousegop.com
www.pahouse.com
www.pasenategop.com
www.pasenate.com

(Not all these groups have something up relating to the budget but some do and I'm too lazy to sort through right now.)

PCN now playing a 1954 video of Levittown. Hope something more interesting in happening behind the scenes.

PA Government Shutdown

So, there you have it. The governor has ordered a partial shutdown on the state government. Of course, some complicated gymnastics allowed the casinos to stay open -- we must have our priorities. State parks, drivers license centers, state welcome centers, and so on, are closed.

John Mick, Christina Gostomski and Kari Andren have a good write up, "Rendell orders partial shutdown" in the Morning Call. They quote the governor as calling the furloughing of state workers ''the most bitter of all decisions for me.''

Brett Lieberman at Pennsyltucky Politics also has a detailed description in "Shutdown." He quotes the governor as saying "Let me say to our hardworking and dedicated state employees, I'm sorry we're here. We worked as hard as we could today to get this done," he said.

Apparently Senate Republicans thought the governor would not follow through on the furlough. Wrong-O.

The sticking point is not the budget per se. It is the governor's energy plan, which involves tacking about 45 cents a month to a household's energy costs. The Inquirer ran some in-depth articles on the subject yesterday: "Questions, answers on energy plan, and "Shifting the peak demand equation," both by Jeff Gelles.

And because of this squabble 25,000 state workers aren't getting paid today. Tourists are getting kicked out of state parks. People who took time off work to get their drivers license renewed will have to take time off again another day.

This has happened before though not often. Over the 1995 Christmas holiday, when Pres. Clinton came to loggerheads with the Congress parts of the federal government were closed. As it happened we had an out of state house guest at that time and had to drop some plans from the agenda because some of the things our guest wanted to see were closed. That's probably why I remember the dates so well. Earlier in Rendell's administration one of his lines in the sand inconvenienced me personally. Still does to some degree. If the situation had gotten worse it would have cost me hundreds dollars out of pocket and a lot of time. However these are inconveniences, and don't affect whether or not the mortgage gets paid.

It leaves a really bad taste when someone puts your livelihood, the ability to pay the rent and feed the kids in jeopardy, because they're in a sandbox battle with someone else, with none of the parties in the battle having a personal stake in the outcome. Show me anyone in the groups fighting who will personally suffer any serious consequences from this situation. Oh, they may feel your pain but that's a little different from explaining to the kids why butter and sugar sandwiches or canned beans are on the menu again tonight or to the landlord why the rent will be late. Even a few days furlough is going to make a few bills late, which is going to affect some credit ratings and that is going to have long term consequences, higher interest rates on loans (and the ability to get loans), and the ability to get different jobs as some employers check credit ratings before hiring.

For a disagreement over 45 cents a month per household.

More News Updates

While we are waiting for news on whether or not the state has a new budget and whether or not some state workers will be furloughed. In the meantime, here are a few more updates:

State Rep. Rick Taylor's bill to keep the Willow Grove Naval Air Station airport from being used as a commercial airport has passed the Pennsylvania house. ("House okays Willow Grove civilian flight ban," by Kori Walter Phillyburbs.com 7/07). It now goes over to the Senate.

Also in Phillyburbs this weekend, "Montco DA plans to keep lab," by Jacob Fenton 7/07.Excerpt:

Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor will continue to use a Willow Grove forensic testing lab despite pay-to-play criticism about the company's chief executive who gave about $40,000 in campaign contributions to Castor in recent years.

later

County commissioners, however, are seeking proposals for county work from other lab companies to make sure it is paying a competitive price for the service. State law does not require the work be competitively bid “so that the commissioners cannot unconstitutionally usurp” the district attorney's authority, Castor wrote in a memo.

Castor is currently running for county commissioner, as part of a team with incumbent Republican Jim Matthews.

Capitol Ideas Caption Contest

For those who enjoyed the Capitol Ideas video post earlier this weekend, be sure to visit the lastest CI adventure, a photo caption contest.

PA in the WSJ

This is a list of articles regarding Pennsylvania in this past week's Wall Street Journal. Chances are I missed something, but these are the articles that caught my eye.

It should be noted that I routinely do not read the editorials in the WSJ. So any discussions of the state, its elected officials, businesses, or citizens, in editorials will not be mentioned here.


PA Politicians

Laura Meckler’s “How Erisa may trip up bids to extend coverage,” (7/07) mentions Pennsylvania in several places, for example:

Big states including California, Pennsylvania and Illinois are debating proposals that give employers a choice between providing insurance or paying into a fund to subsidize coverage for those who can’t afford it. Several other states are considering the approach. But business opponents and others say the strategy, known as “pay or play,” might violate a 1974 law that bars states from regulating certain health plans.

Later

In Pennsylvania, Democratic Gov. Edward Rendell has proposed that all but the smallest employers spend at least 4% of their payroll on health coverage or contribute the difference between that and what they actually spend to a state fund. “This plan will mete out pain to everybody in the health-care delivery system – everyone,” he said as he outlined his proposal in December.

And later

States working to revamp their health-care systems are trying to avoid colliding with Erisa. Pennsylvania and Illinois are considering imposing broad-based taxes on employers while giving credits to ones that are already spend a certain amount on insurance. One problem: Under Erisa the state has no power to examine the quality of the insurance offered.

PA Businesses

Steven Singer Jewelers, of the “I Hate Steven Singer” billboards fame, is highlighted in “Jeweler cultivates fun image for the guys,” by Simona Covel (7/02)

“Japan retailer tops Barneys bid,” by Amy Chozick and Rachel Dodes (7/06) the bids to acquire Bristol’s Joes Apparel Group is discussed.

Other PA

A Monroeville resident is one of the examples given in “How depression weakens the brain,” By Shirley S. Wang (7/03). He was treated at the Late Life Depression clinic of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

In “Giving till it hurts,” by Sally Beatty (7/06) an article on people giving away most of their money, the American Baptist Foundation in Valley Forge is mentioned as a recipient of some gifts.

Philadelphia was one of six cities included in a research project to study what was normal brain activity for children in “Study of kids’ brains hopes to answer, what is normal?” by Robert Less Hotz (7/06) Some highlights:

It reveals that gender differences and income disparities matter less than previously believed and that health matters more, project researchers reported in the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society.

Other tidbits: boys and girls have an equal aptitude for math. By age 12 many kids are as capable mentally as adults.

The Real American by Sally Jenkins is reviewed by David M. Shribman on 7/07. The book is a history of the Carlisle Indians football team.

Other Interesting Tidbits

“Conservatives find their voice on the web,” by June Kronholz and Amy Schatz (7/03) on the rise of conservative bloggers and their role in the defeat of the immigration bill.

weekly legislative update

The legislature met today and is scheduled to meet tomorrow (a rare Sunday session). If anything is passed or if the caucuses provide a weekly update I will post that information later.

Here's what we have for Monday - Friday (Wed was a holiday)

This is a list of bills that passed the Pennsylvania House or Senate this week, and mention of any noteworthy resolutions. Standard caveats apply (resolutions not generally included, list of sponsors deleted if it was too long - three lines in the originally formatting).

Our accountant friends at PICPA have provided their usual informative weekly update.

Other updates this week:

PA GOP Senate (session notes, none for this week yet)
PA Democratic Senate (session notes, none for this week yet)
PA GOP House (daily session updates)
PA Democratic House


Resolutions

Resolution No. 94 By Representatives WATERS, BISHOP, BLACKWELL, FREEMAN, GIBBONS, HERSHEY, JAMES, KIRKLAND, MELIO, MYERS, PALLONE, READSHAW, STABACK, STERN, WALKO, YOUNGBLOOD, SIPTROTH and CALTAGIRONE. Prior Printer's No. 573.Printer's No. 2100. A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish a task force to investigate the effects of violent interactive video games in context with all other media forms children are exposed to in this Commonwealth.

HR 366 Printer's No. 2194. A Resolution honoring Lewis Hamilton for winning the Canadian Grand Prix on June 10, 2007, and for becoming the first black driver to earn a victory in Formula One racing history.

HR 343 Printer's No. 2025. A Resolution discouraging the use of the "N" word.


Bills (none passed the Senate this week)

HOUSE

HB 489 Prior Printer's No. 545.Printer's No. 1992. An Act amending the act of December 4, 1996 (P.L.893, No.141), entitled "An act providing for volunteer health services; limiting liability of a volunteer license holder; and requiring reports," further providing for license renewal, continuing education requirements and disciplinary and corrective measures.

HB 1140

HB 1487 Prior Printer's No. 1852.Printer's No. 2189. An Act imposing limitations on the use of property in Horsham Township, Montgomery County, known as the Willow Grove Joint Interagency Installation in the event the Commonwealth acquires the property.

HB 1624 An Act designating a bridge crossing the Catawissa Creek in Catawissa Borough, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, as the William F. Gittler, Sr. Memorial Bridge.

HB 1644 Printer's No. 2119. An Act designating a portion of State Route 22/322 from the Mifflintown exit in Juniata County to the Juniata/Mifflin County line, as the Dr. L.G. Guiser Memorial Highway.

HB 1656 By Representatives MOYER and MENSCH. Printer's No. 2136. An Act authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Governor, to grant and convey to Skippack Township certain lands situate in Skippack Township, Montgomery County, in exchange for Skippack Township granting and conveying certain lands to the Commonwealth to be added to those existing lands at Evansburg State Park.

SB 704 Prior Printer's Nos. 776, 802, 1189, 1256.Printer's No. 1272. An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Public Welfare Code, further providing for State plan for regulating and licensing personal care homes, for Intra-Governmental Council on Long-Term Care and for rules and regulations for personal care homes and assisted living residences.

HB 1230 Prior Printer's Nos. 1515, 2098.Printer's No. 2226. An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for publication of delinquent support obligors and for identifying information in protection from abuse orders.

HB 823 Prior Printer's Nos. 940, 2097.Printer's No. 2185. An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing, in child protective services, for definitions, for immunity from liability, for release of information in confidential reports, for studies of data in records, for investigating performance of county agencies, for citizen review panels, for child abuse services and for reporting.

HB 883 Prior Printer's No. 1037.Printer's No. 2184. An Act amending the act of September 9, 1965 (P.L.497, No.251), known as the Newborn Child Testing Act, further providing for newborn child screening and testing; and making editorial changes.

HB 1130 Prior Printer's Nos. 1381, 2132.Printer's No. 2186. An Act amending the act of April 21, 1949 (P.L.665, No.155), known as the First Class City Home Rule Act, providing for campaign report format.

SB 34 By Senators C. WILLIAMS, COSTA, MUSTO, BOSCOLA, FONTANA, FOLMER, WOZNIAK, WASHINGTON and MELLOW. Prior Printer's Nos. 67, 893, 1045, 1252.Printer's No. 1045. An Act permitting a mother the freedom to nurse her child in public; and providing that breastfeeding may not be considered a nuisance, indecent exposure, sexual conduct or obscenity.

HB 27 Prior Printer's No. 52.Printer's No. 2183. An Act amending Title 44 (Law and Justice) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for witness relocation.

HB 221

HB 1589 By Representative D. EVANS. Prior Printer's Nos. 1970, 2107, 2151.Printer's No. 2181. An Act providing for the capital budget for the fiscal year 2007-2008; itemizing public improvement projects, furniture and equipment projects, transportation assistance projects, redevelopment assistance capital projects, flood control projects, Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund projects, Environmental Stewardship Fund projects, Motor License Fund projects, State forestry bridge projects, Manufacturing Fund projects and federally funded projects to be constructed or acquired or assisted by the Department of General Services, the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Transportation, together with their estimated financial costs; authorizing the incurring of debt without the approval of the electors for the purpose of financing the projects to be constructed, acquired or assisted by the Department of General Services, the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Department of Environmental Protection or the Department of Transportation; stating the estimated useful life of the projects; providing an exemption; providing for limitation on certain capital projects, for special provisions for certain redevelopment assistance capital projects and for preemption of local ordinances for Department of Corrections projects; and making appropriations.

SB 72 SB 72 By Senators GREENLEAF, DINNIMAN, TOMLINSON, ERICKSON, COSTA, RAFFERTY, BOSCOLA, FONTANA, ORIE, EARLL, VANCE, O'PAKE, WOZNIAK, BROWNE, BAKER, PILEGGI and STACK. Prior Printer's No. 102.Printer's No. 426. An Act amending the act of December 4, 1996 (P.L.893, No.141), known as the Volunteer Health Services Act, further providing for license renewal, continuing education requirements and disciplinary and corrective measures.

SB 116 By Senators COSTA, GREENLEAF, FONTANA, TARTAGLIONE, ORIE, KITCHEN, STOUT, EARLL, MUSTO, O'PAKE, C. WILLIAMS, WASHINGTON, WOZNIAK, LAVALLE, BROWNE, MELLOW, FERLO and LOGAN. Prior Printer's Nos. 93, 1038, 1248.Printer's No. 1271. An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for the adoption of guidelines for fines; further providing for exemptions from jury duty and for selection of prospective jurors; providing for statewide jury information system; and further providing for no limitation applicable.

A Film to Accompany the "Furloughed Worker Blues"

The weekly legislative update and PA in the WSJ features will probably be appearing on Sunday this week, or perhaps late Saturday.

In the meantime, weekend visitors can entertain themselves with the latest from one of my favorite state reporters' blogs, Capitol Ideas. Check out the video embedded in the post on the possible state government shutdown, and the probability that it was paid for out of tax dollars.

Media Matters on the Myth of Conservative America

Media Matters and Campaign for America's Future have just completed a new joint report called, "The Progressive Majority: Why a Conservative America is a Myth." I haven't read the whole report yet. You can find it at: http://mediamatters.org/progmaj/

News Round Up

Quick, quick! Before DSL gets washed out by the rain, here are a few news items that you might find of interest:

Both the Pennsylvania State House and Senate have passed a bill allowing mothers to breastfeed in public. A few quotes from "Support for nursing in public," by Erika Gebel (Inquirer, 7/04):

Eleven years after the first bill was introduced to protect breast-feeding in public, the state House voted unanimously yesterday to allow it. The measure, already passed by the Senate, is expected to be signed by Gov. Rendell.

"I think this is a big step. It's very important for women to know that they can breast-feed where they need to and when," said Sen. Connie Williams, a Democrat from Montgomery County, who introduced the bill in February.

Pennsyltucky Politics offers updated information on Rep. Patrick Murphy's (D-08) book advance

Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz has issued this statement on President Bush's commutation of Scooter Libby's prison sentence:

"The decision of President Bush to commute the prison sentence of Scooter Libby is outrageous. We have long known the President considers himself unaccountable to the American people, and it is now crystal clear: he considers all members of his Administration above the law. This choice by the President demonstrates yet another case of his terrible lack of judgment. Scooter Libby lied to a grand jury and he lied to the FBI, but the President apparently believes Libby's lies were acceptable."

[Heart] Your Legislator

Happy Independence Day, Everyone!

We in the blogosphere grouse a lot about our elected officials, often with good reason. However, we do need to remember to pat them on the back occasionally, too. So, to celebrate our democracy, how about sitting down in the next week or so and sending off a note or an email to one or more of your state and/or federal officials and say at least one nice thing to them. You might have to think hard to come up with something but what say we give it a try? If you have to go down the local level to find someone you can praise, well, that's okay.